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World Drowning Prevention Day

World Drowning Prevention Day is a global advocacy event recognised around the world on 25 July. Established by the World Health Organization (WHO), it highlights the tragic and profound impact of drowning on families and communities, as well as the life-saving solutions that prevent it.

Three people playing on the beach by the sea

Find Your Float is the National Water Safety Forum’s campaign for World Drowning Prevention Day 2025. This year, we’re encouraging as many people as possible to learn a lifesaving skill – the science-backed self-rescue technique of floating.

If you get into trouble in the water, knowing how to float can save your life. But we all float differently. By practising how to float in a safe and supported environment, you can learn what floating looks and feels like for you, helping you to be better prepared for an emergency situation.

National Water Safety Forum members and partners across the UK will be organising events and activities to help people find their float from 21 to 25 July 2025.

Get involved as an organisation or leisure provider

  • Organise a Find Your Float event at a supervised swimming location
  • Include a “float” activity or demonstration as part of an existing event
  • Create a “how to float” video to share on social media and with your networks
  • Amplify the campaign message across your channels
  • Let us know what activity you have planned so we can help promote it: info@nationalwatersafety.org.uk

We’ve created posters, social media graphics and guidance to support your Find Your Float events and activities – download them from the bottom of this page.

How to find your float

By practising how to float at your local swimming pool, lifeguarded beach or supervised open water swimming venue, you’re better prepared for what to do in an emergency.

  • Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
  • Relax and try to breathe normally
  • Move your arms and legs to improve stability
  • Don’t worry if your legs sink, we all float differently
  • When the initial shock has passed, shout for help or swim to safety if you can.

Assets and Resources

Help share the Find Your Float campaign with our free downloadable campaign assets and resources.

Further resources

For more information about World Drowning Prevention Day and the World Health Organization’s global campaign for 2025, visit the WHO website.